Canada can count on record-breaking Konig

UDINE/CIVIDALE DEL FRIULI (FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2017) - If Canada are to step onto the podium for the first time at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup, the offensive production of record-breaker Aislinn Konig could be the precious key to success.

Having safely navigated their way past Mexico in the Round of 16, Canada are one win away from reaching the Semi-Finals for the first time since 2009 and excitement is building.

Unbeaten with four wins to their name, the highlight so far has been the majestic shooting display posted by Konig in the last group game against Latvia, a 74-70 win. The guard erupted for 32 points and she sunk a staggering 10 triples in the best three-point shooting effort in the competition’s history.

Yet peel away the eye-bulging numbers for a second and the mentality of this high-achieving and unbeaten Canada team is revealed by Konig.

"For me, whenever I shoot the ball, I always believe it is going to go in," she said. "But, it is also very important that you know you can shoot, because you have the confidence of your team-mates.

"I feel it is credit to my colleagues who supported me in accomplishing what I did in that game. If they didn't look to find me on the court and make an effort to drive to the basket hard and do all of the things they were doing, then I would not have been able to score those points."

Sometimes you have the hot-hand and you never know how long it will continue. But that never worries me, because we have so Many other offensive options. As long as Canada has more on the scoreboard at the end of the game than the other team, this is all I am ever bothered about.

With her family courtside to witness it and the joy that was expressed by her team-mates, Konig won't be forgetting what was an incredible display in a hurry.

"I once hit 14 three-pointers in high school, but this is obviously a way bigger stage," she pointed out. "It is made more special to me because it happened when playing alongside so many special girls, who all play with heart and give their support."

Having beaten Mexico comfortably, the experience of that close-call against Latvia could prove to be a priceless experience for Canada - with Konig not fazed by whether she is the one that potentially shoots her team to glory.

"Sometimes you have the hot-hand and you never know how long it will continue," she mused. "But that never worries me, because we have so any other offensive options and I think assists are just as enjoyable. As long we as Canada have more on the scoreboard at the end of the game than the other team, this is all I am ever bothered about.

"Also having won close games gives us confidence that we can get a victory in adversity moving forward, something which will be important for the last days of the tournament."

What is all the more remarkable about the contribution of Konig is that she is also one of the leaders in assists and arrived in Udine off the back of an injury earlier this year. It saw her in plaster at North Carolina State, but even that wasn't going to stop her completely.

"I broke a metatarsal in my left foot and I was just hopping around and trying to do some shooting after practise," she recalled. "I thought I might as well have some fun in a tough situation and I just told the management 'I am going to hit this' and I did."

Finally, Konig is acutely aware that if Canada do edge towards a medal, it will further fuel the feel-good factor that is running through the veins of Canada Basketball in the wake of the men having landed the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in Cairo earlier this month - and also beating USA along the way.

"We are such a family, that whenever any team wins it is something for all of us to enjoy and share as an organization and a country," she confirmed. "When the men were playing the USA in the Semi-Finals, we were actually practising but Coach Clarke came over and told us it was close and so we could stop and watch it.

"The most important thing is that Canada Basketball is giving all of its athletes the resources to be the best athletes we can be at every level and that is an amazing thing to be a part of," concluded Konig.

FIBA